Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an important therapeutic intervention in the management of symptomatic patients with chronic respiratory disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an out-patient PR programme instituted in Galway University Hospitals in May 2008. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients attending the PR program to date. Our primary outcome measures were the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and St George’s Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (SGRQ) quality of life scores. Our secondary objective was to determine differences in outcomes based on length of PR with 6-week verses 8-week programmes.
89/118(75.4%) patients completed the PR programme (59 male, mean age 67.9(9.5) years, mean FEV1 1.34 (49.7% predicted), mean BODE score 7.9). 73/89(82.0%) patients had COPD. Significant improvements in 6MWD (mean change 74.9m, 95%CI 55.8- 94.0m) and SGRQ total score (mean change 7.1 units, 95%CI 3.5-10.7 units) were observed following PR. There was no significant difference in outcomes in the 6-week (n=29) verses the 8-week (n=60) groups in either 6MWD (p=0.37) or SGRQ (p=0.23). This study supports the use of PR in enhancing functional capacity and quality of life in the management of patients with chronic respiratory disease. A 6-week program appeared to be as efficacious as the 8-week program.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an important therapeutic intervention in the management of symptomatic patients with chronic respiratory disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an out-patient PR programme instituted in Galway University Hospitals in May 2008. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients attending the PR program to date. Our primary outcome measures were the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and St George’s Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (SGRQ) quality of life scores. Our secondary objective was to determine differences in outcomes based on length of PR with 6-week verses 8-week programmes.
89/118(75.4%) patients completed the PR programme (59 male, mean age 67.9(9.5) years, mean FEV1 1.34 (49.7% predicted), mean BODE score 7.9). 73/89(82.0%) patients had COPD. Significant improvements in 6MWD (mean change 74.9m, 95%CI 55.8- 94.0m) and SGRQ total score (mean change 7.1 units, 95%CI 3.5-10.7 units) were observed following PR. There was no significant difference in outcomes in the 6-week (n=29) verses the 8-week (n=60) groups in either 6MWD (p=0.37) or SGRQ (p=0.23). This study supports the use of PR in enhancing functional capacity and quality of life in the management of patients with chronic respiratory disease. A 6-week program appeared to be as efficacious as the 8-week program.

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en

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dc.subject

CHRONIC DISEASE

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dc.subject

RESPIRATORY DISORDER

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dc.subject

REHABILITATION

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dc.subject.other

PULMONARY DISEASE

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dc.title

Effectiveness of out-patient pulmonary rehabilitation in Galway

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dc.type

Article

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dc.identifier.journal

Irish Journal of Medical Science

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dc.description.province

Connacht

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